Page:Life of John Knox (3).pdf/13

13 doubt not to prove to be a power usurped against God, against his commandments, and against the ordinance of Christ Jesus, to established in his church by his chief apostles, yea, we doubt not to prove the kingdom of the Pope to be the kingdome and power of Antichrist and therefore, my lords, I cannot cease, in the name of Christ Jesus, I require of you that the matter may come to examination, and that ye, the estates of the realm, by your authority, compel such as will be called bishops; not only to desist from their cruel murdering of men as do study to promote God's glory, in detecting and disclosing the damnable impiety of that man of sin the Roman Antichrist; but, also, that ye compel them to answer to such crimes as shall be laid to their charge, for not righteously instructing the flock committed to their care.

In March, 1557, sensible of his importance, a letter, subscribed Glencairn, Erskine, Lorn, and Janies Stuart, was transmitted to Mr. Knox at Geneva, entreating to return home to be their teacher. Having communicated its contents to his congregation, for which he provided another minister, and taken the advicee of John Calvin, and other ministers, he set out for Scotland; but on his arrival at Dieppe, letters met him requesting him to remain there, owing to the falling off of some from the cause, alarmed at the danger to which they were exposed.

Addressing himself to the lords who had invited his return, Mr Knox expostulates with them on their rash and unadvised conduct, as having a tendency to cause both them and him to be evil spoken of— "For either;" said he, "it shall appear that I was marvellous vain, being so solicited, where no necessity required, or else that such as